Review
In situ gelling systems: a strategy to improve the bioavailability of ophthalmic pharmaceutical formulations
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Drug Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, N° 228, Porto 4050-313, Portugal
- Available online 11 October 2013
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Check access- doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2013.10.001
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The low therapeutic efficacy exhibited by conventional ophthalmic solutions owing to precorneal elimination of the drug, drainage by gravity, nasolacrimal drainage, conjunctival absorption, and the absence of controlled release and of bioadhesive properties, can be overcome by the use of in situ gelling systems. The combination in the same formulation of different in situ gelling polymers with different stimuli-responsiveness mechanisms exploiting the unique physicochemical characteristics of the ocular tissues is one such strategy that has produced improved results compared with conventional systems. As we discuss here, the recent use of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers in colloidal carrier systems has proved to be the most effective strategy, resulting in the exponential increase of the bioavailability of the ophthalmic drugs.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Hugo Almeida received his degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (Portugal) in 2006, and a master's degree in Quality Control (branch: Drug Substances and Medicinal Plants) from Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (Portugal) in 2009. In 2011, became PhD student in Pharmaceutical Sciences (branch: Pharmaceutical Technology) in the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Drug Sciences Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (Portugal). He develops his research in the application of stimuli-responsive polymers in controlled and self-regulated drug delivery systems.
Maria Helena Amaral graduated in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Master in Quality Control of Medicines and PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto. Assistant professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto since 2003. Her research areas are related to new drug delivery systems, ophthalmic formulations, stimuli-responsive polymers, dermopharmacy and cosmetology.
Paulo Alexandre Lourenço Lobão is an auxiliary professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Porto University (FFUP). He teaches and researches at the Pharmaceutical Technology Department of the FFUP since 1992. The main theme of his research focuses on bioadhesion and sustained release dosage forms. He also works with medical devices.
Prof. Dr José Manuel Sousa Lobo, PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology in 1989. Full professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto. Director of the Department of Drug Sciences and President of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto. President of the Portuguese Pharmacopoeia and Expert in Industrial Pharmacy.
